Vista Murrieta Football Player Reinstated, Victories Are Not

Following an investigation into the transcripts of a Vista Murrieta football player, it was determined that the player and the school were cleared of any wrongdoing and the player in question was reinstated by CIF, the governing body for all state high school athletics.

Yet, the five victories the Broncos were forced to forfeit when they self-reported what they thought to be an ineligible player have not been reinstated.

The CIF granted the player, cornerback Larry Parrish, a hardship waiver and reinstated his eligibility Friday. That evening, the Broncos defeated Great Oak, 45-24, in a Southwestern League game.

Vista Murrieta is currently 3-5 overall, 3-0 in league and ranked second in the CIF Inland Division behind Corona Centennial. But should they still be considered undefeated?

“Currently, the interpretation is there is no retroactive status,” Vista Murrieta Athletic Director Ray Moore said. “We’re still working on a couple of things. I can’t give you a rationale. I’m scratching my head.

“Our priority was always to do our best for the youngster first. We’re happy he’s returned to the field.”

It was while Parrish was filling out college applications that a possible infraction came to light, Moore said.

The student’s former school in Georgia said he attended in the 2007-08 school year and had to re-do that year in 2008-09, giving the student a ninth semester in school which is against CIF rules. But it was investigated and discovered to be untrue. Moore said there was nothing in his previous transcripts to indicate he had attended high school in 2007.

“The kids and our community really rallied around him,” Moore said. “The rule, the way it’s written right now, is you’re guilty until proven innocent.

“Our community was unbelievable. I received about 50 emails of support from other schools we played. I asked myself over and over, what could I have done differently? Only thing we could have done differently was have ESP. It wasn’t correct information.”

However, a spokesperson for CIF said the forfeitures must remain in place.

"...The player in question was an ineligible player when he played in those five games," said Thom Simmons, CIF-Southern Section director of communications, in an email to Patch.

"He did not become an eligible player until the date his new hardship was approved. There is no such thing as a 'retroactive hardship,'" Simmons wrote.

"Rule 502.2 states very clearly that there is no distinction between 'intentional' or 'unintentional' as it regards a school or athlete's knowledge of that player's eligibility status. If the player is ineligible he is ineligible, period with no exceptions. The rule provides for no other outcome other than forfeitures."

Moore said his only concern was for the athlete and clearing his name and situation. Now they can focus on the upcoming CIF playoffs, which begin in three weeks.

“Our key is the CIF playoff opportunities, which are in our hands now,” Moore said. “He (Parrish) told someone he’s the luckiest man on Earth.”